Looking for something to do other than constantly checking social media? Is there something more entertaining to do during your down time than playing games on your device, or watching television or movies? Are you feeling antisocial or wanting some quiet time?
Traveling or commuting?
Taking a sick day?
Bored?
Need to relax?
Wanting some escapist fun?
I have the prescription for you...READ! These are the books I've read recently and my reviews. Please comment!

NetGalley Top Reviewer

NetGalley Top Reviewer

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Trauma by Michael Palmer (and Dan Palmer, son)

3.0 out of 5 stars -- "Remember those with invisible wounds."

There
is no genre I read as critically as I do the medical thriller. Details
must be scientifically accurate and perfect, plots must be plausible,
and the protagonist absolutely must be genuine and believable. This
novel focuses on Carrie Bryant, MD, a neurosurgery resident who resigns
her program after making a spectacular error in the OR while assisting
during a procedure -- a type of mistake that I found hard to imagine
would even be possible in this day and age. But, premise tentatively
accepted, I read on to see where this female surgeon would go next.

Carrie
goes home to her parents and brother to lick her wounds. She finds
things there a bit unsettling as her brother, Adam, is a vet who suffers
from PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). In an incredible stroke of
luck, she gets a non-credentialed position at the nearby VA Hospital --
performing an experimental surgical procedure that involves deep brain
stimulation for those with neurological disorders such as Parkinson's
Disease -- AND now being tested on men with severe PTSD. Carrie is
pleased with her skill on the first operation -- until the vet develops a
rare post-op complication -- and then disappears! What? When a second
patient also vanishes soon after the same operation, Carrie becomes
determined to find out what is going on with these vets and who is
behind the shocking conspiracy.

From that point on, the story
becomes that particular tale of perils and daring escapades as Carrie
and journalist, David (love interest), begin their surveillance and
pursuit of those responsible for subverting a hopeful surgical treatment
of PTSD into a scam for money and fame.

Although completely
predictable with enough thrills and deaths to make it typical suspense
fare, the underlying theme of the heartbreak and ruined lives caused by
PTSD is still poignant and worthy. I do hope this was a standalone and
not the beginning of a series featuring this female surgeon. I'd
probably read another by this author (the son of deceased Michael
Palmer) as I can't resist a medical thriller even if it doesn't quite
live up to my expectations.

I'll save my annoyance over
inaccuracies for the publisher. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's
Press for the e-book ARC to review.